The Russellville Cyclones led by as many as 28 points during their 64-50 romp Tuesday night over the Fort Smith Southside Rebels — a far cry from the last-second 37-35 loss the Cyclones endured the last time the two teams met.

According to Russellville head coach Codey Mann, the difference in Tuesday’s game was completed shots.

“We just made shots this time,” he said. “We played with better intensity. We also changed from (a) regular man-defense to a switching man-defense. We changed every screen and got into the passing lanes. I think it got us going a little bit, but it all comes down to we were able to get shots in tonight.”

Sophomore Tony Jones knocked back five 3-pointers to help put the Cyclones (10-15, 2-9 6A/7A-Central Conference) out in front of the Rebels (6-19, 1-10). Between Jones and fellow sophomore Andy Campbell, the pair netted 39 points.

The win comes as rejuvenation for the sophomore after a trying season, and accurate 3-point shooting is something both he and Campbell work on extensively after practice.

“It feels good,” Jones said. “It’s been a very long time since we had a win. It just feels good to get back on track. I work a lot on 3-pointers with Andy and several of the other teammates. Our shots haven’t been falling too much lately, but I think the hard work is finally paying off.”

Russellville opened the game with 6-2 run, with a pair of 3-pointers from Jones and Campbell. Junior Jalen Curtis gave the Cyclones presence inside the paint with a pair of layups to make it 15-6 by the end of the first period.

The Cyclones were able to find those open shots throughout the entire game. Jones credited that to Mann’s coaching and preparation throughout the week.

“Me and coach have been talking a lot,” he said. “Southside had a lot of gaps last time, so I was able to drive those and find opens shooters and take open shots. Tonight, they just fell right.”

Russellville kept the pressure on throughout the second and outscored the Rebels 21-7. By the time the half came to a close, the Cyclones were up 36-13 with contributions coming from Jones, Campbel and Cody Underhill.

“Almost every game we’ve played this year, we’ve been able to hang in,” Mann said. “What you saw tonight was a little glimpse of what I think we’ll see over the next two years.”

Underhill fired in two 3-pointers in the third, and Curtis made an impressive mid-court steal and scored on a break-away layup. When the buzzer sounded, Russellville was up 54-26.

Mann was able to get some younger players time on the court in the fourth quarter.

“It feels really good to get this win,” Mann said. “One thing these kids have done is persevered. They’ve worked really hard and sometimes when you’re losing, that’s really hard. It’s hard to come to practice every day and want to get better. These kids have never complained.”